27 Jul 2018

MSG no place for West Papua talks - director general

2:15 pm on 27 July 2018
The Melanesian Spearhead Group headquarters in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

The Melanesian Spearhead Group headquarters in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana

Melanesian Spearhead Group director general Amena Yauvoli says political discussions about West Papua don't belong in the organisation.

Mr Yauvoli told the Fiji Times human rights issues relating to West Papua should be dealt with by international organisations.

Speaking during a working group meeting in Nadi on Thursday, he said the MSG's common enemy is crime and politics should be set aside.

Earlier this week Vanuatu Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu said the MSG was failing because of a lack of political engagement.